Political commentator Arnold has strongly opposed the possibility of a joint presidential ticket involving former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, following reports of their recent move from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Both politicians are reportedly seeking the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development in a lengthy Facebook post, Arnold argued that Kwankwaso should not be considered as Obi’s running mate, claiming that the former Kano governor remains closely aligned with the Sultan of Sokoto’s inner circle.
He also criticised Kwankwaso’s movement across different political parties over the years, alleging that despite those shifts, he “never once strayed from fealty to the throne.”
According to Arnold, the current Sultan of Sokoto had served in sensitive diplomatic and intelligence-related roles in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia during the global war on terror era, while Kwankwaso was Nigeria’s Defence Minister.
“When the future Sultan was — as a senior officer of an OIC nation — operating in the shadows during the war on terror, his assignment from the Nigerian government was to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia,” Arnold wrote.
He further linked a series of historical events to that period, including the deaths of senior military officers and the emergence of insurgent groups in Nigeria, although he provided no evidence directly connecting the incidents.
Arnold also revisited Kwankwaso’s record as governor of Kano State, accusing him of introducing and enforcing Sharia law through the Hisbah Board, the state’s Islamic morality enforcement agency.
“He formally declared Sharia law on June 21, 2000, and established the Hisbah Board, which has been arresting Kano residents for ‘improper dress’ and ‘indecent mixing of the sexes’ ever since,” he stated.
The commentator also referenced previous allegations involving pension fund mismanagement during Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano, as well as a pharmaceutical procurement controversy involving one of his relatives.
“He lost his re-election in 2003 for being insufficiently Islamic for the Kano clerical establishment. Obasanjo handed him the Defence Ministry the same year,” Arnold added.
He claimed that investigations by anti-corruption agencies into some of the allegations either stalled or were allegedly influenced politically.
Concluding his remarks, Arnold said he would oppose any political ticket featuring Kwankwaso, regardless of who emerges as the presidential candidate.
“That is why I will actively oppose any ticket with Kwankwaso on it. No matter who is on top. Peter Obi, if you want my open mind, pick a running mate who is not a puppet of the Sultan,” he said.
